Toyota says that Demonstrations are "Sporadic";

Toyota announced that the latest UAW demonstrations were merely "sporadic" and that the UAW did not have as much support for the protests as it has claimed. Ford dealerships such as Ford Kansas City dealers, are not being protested, and the popular Ford Escape can be found at these dealerships. The UAW's newly elected president, Bob King, called on members of the UAW to protest Toyota over issues dealing with the closure of a California plant. The UAW said that pickets were held at dealerships throughout California and in New York as well. It is not known whether any VW Dealer would be affected by the protests.

The UAW has received criticism by dealership organizations for protesting dealerships during a time in which the economy is hurting and sales are few and far between. The NUMMI plant in Fremont is the plant that has the UAW up in arms and 5 local dealerships in the NUMMI plant area recently announced that there were no issues with protests. There have been small groups of protests at various other dealerships that have occurred during peak business hours.

Other major dealerships in New York City also announced that there were no protests as well. The UAW does not consider the pickets actual protests but rather an education of Toyota's international business policies.

Dealerships are a major source of jobs and businesses for local workers and it may be seen by some as being in poor taste to target them. A Toyota spokeswoman said: “It is unfortunate that whomever they represent, they have elected to attempt to disrupt independent and impartial business operations supporting surrounding communities. Toyota dealers have made significant investments in their businesses and contribute significantly throughout their communities."

It is not known how the protests will affect dealership sales, but one can only imagine that the dealerships that are being protested are not going to do better with people protesting outside of them. Those protests that have occurred already have said to be "rather tame" with protesters choose to not be very vocal and attention drawing.